FAWM 2009
My songwriting buddy on the left coast, Steven Wesley Guiles, and I started a website back in December of 2006 called Songwriting Apples. Since then we’ve both been on this weird sort of “songwriting, web-posting, tutorial-videoing, playing out live as much as possible” bender.
Last year, myman took things “too far.” He got involved with some shady characters over at FAWM.org. The short story on this website is that a bunch of songwriters come together every winter and try to write 14 songs in 28 days. This is what happens to people like Steve when he’s not checked and his leash breaks. You get to hangin’ around with certain types and, BAM!, the next thing you know you’re doing something crazy like this. This is how people end up jumping off bridges (or so my mother said when I was young).
My feeling on the problem was that an intervention was in order. Steve needed some tough love! But 2500 miles is a long way… So I kept tabs on my friend. Waiting for the inevitable breakdown. Waiting for the cry for help that never came.
Brothers and sisters, I must confess, the insanity has spread…
That’s right, I will be partaking of the madness that is FAWM 2009. I don’t know HOW it happened… I don’t know WHY it happened… I don’t remember WHERE I went wrong… I just know that today is FAWM EVE and I’m ready to write whatever comes out beginning at midnight tonight. Will every song be a keeper? Not likely. Hopefully, if I’m lucky, maybe one or two will be performed live and/or recorded on a CD someday. But, as it turns out, that is not what this is about. In the words of Morpheus, it’s about “freeing your mind”.
Last night I rummaged about the Man-Cave, found some additional equipment (keyboard, accordion, recording software, microphones, books of poetry and songwriting) and began to mess around. Perhaps I am up to this challenge after all, because I managed to squeeze out a very cool “soundtrack-like” piece of music called Crown of Stars.
Regardless of what happens or how many songs I write in the next 28 days, I hope to somehow improve my craft enough to make an impact in what I do, musically. And I hope to meet a few more wonderful folks with similar interests.
Thanks Steve.
John
January 31, 2009
Crown of Stars
Crown of Stars will likely never be performed live, but it’s up on the Myspace player because I think it’s worth a listen. I’ve also included a link to the mp3 at the end of this post. No, I don’t have any intention of abandoning my folk, acoustic act. This “song” came about as a result of some mad experimentation last night. It’s been a few years since I wrote anything other than on the guitar, but this one reaches out a bit. Somewhere deep inside me is a movie/TV soundtrack songwriter that is trying to get out.
A quick note about the arrangement and recording. There is no “programming” on this recording. The different instrumental voices were all played live in real time by me either on keyboard or acoustic guitar.
The spoken word you hear in the background came about after I listened to the music a few times. I heard this “nearly intelligible” conversation going on in the background so I went to an old book of poetry I have, given to me by a friend of my grandma’s back about 35 years ago, and picked out three poems and read. Panned one left, one right and the other dead center and there it is.
My left coast brother in songwriting, Steven Wesley Guiles is partially responsible for the creative outburst as well (and the title). He hornswaggled me into trying this thing called FAWM (February Album Writing Month) and this was my way of “warming up” for that challenge. More about this later. In the meantime, thanks for reading and listening!
John
January 31, 2009
The Song is in the Air
Venue: Solid Grounds Coffee House
Special Guest: James Humphries – Harmonica
Next show: Saturday, February 7th at the White Crow in Saginaw, Michigan w/Sam Corbin and Scott Baker
*presses play and reflects on a great evening*
Well, it’s “fare thee well”, my true love
The song is in the air
I hear the West calling
See what’s for me there
This song, The Open Door by Darrell Scott, has been “in the air” all week. I’ve been playing it daily, just like right now. I’ve been humming it in the shower and waking up in the middle of verses in my mind. I catch myself staring out the window at work hearing the melody. Tonight it’s the soundtrack for my blog entry. Playing on repeat, helping me to remember…
Some travel in the darkness
And rest upon the shade
Some wrestle with their demons
And face them unafraid
Musicians travel in the darkness quite frequently. I’m no different I suppose. We rest upon the shade of the evening. Wrestling with our demons, we take the stage unafraid. We exercise whatever ills cumber us about. By performing for you we become liberated. We become free. And, hopefully in some small way, we free each other, even if only for a few hours.
We argue for our better selves
We only ask for more
We take the mirror from the shelf
And find the open door
Find the open door
Like Oliver Twist, we ask for more, but not in a materialistic or greedy sense. We try to improve our craft every time we perform. Hopefully make that connection with you a little stronger this time. We take that mirror from the shelf and try to break down the distinction between performer and listener, searching for the open door. Jiggling doorknobs… that’s what we performers do. Hoping someone lets us in.
I love you with a fever
I love you with a past
My heart is a keeper
As long as it will last
Tonight wasn’t about the music at all. There was love in the room tonight. For over two hours it flowed back and forth between us. From where I sat, tonight was a keeper, for sure. You listened, talked, sang, ate, drank, swayed to the music and interacted with each other and me. For as long as it would last…
Sitting here a few hours later, I remember each one of you. I see your faces. As I sing, you talk, eat, drink, laugh, smile and sing along. Tonight I am grateful for the songs that I write, the songs others write that I am able to learn and sing and the folks who came out to be a part of this evening. These “shows” are not about me or you. What are they about?
As long as it will last
I’ll tell you what I know
We walk this road together
And we walk this road alone
From where I sit tonight, it’s about a group of people walking together with one another for a few hours. I’ll tell you what I know… we spend too much time in this life walking alone. Once in awhile we connect to one another. Music helps us do that. Thanks to everyone who came out tonight for taking a little musical walk with me.
Until next time…
“Fare thee well”
John
January 23, 2009
Darrell Scott is Amazing…
When I hear this kind of music, my vision of what I’d like to sound like becomes a little clearer. Amazing…
John D. Lamb’s Songwriters Showcase
Memphis Smoke is in Royal Oak, Michigan - 100 S.Main Street (at 11 Mile Rd) - 248-543-4300
I’m happy to announce that I’ll be appearing at John D. Lamb’s Songwriter’s Showcase at Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak, Michigan. Also on the bill that night: Chris McCall, Dave Boutette, Black Hat, Stephen Clark.
John is a great guy (read: brutal freaky songwriting maniac taskmaster) who I am glad to know. Back in November I attended his Songwriter’s Retreat up in Harbor Springs, Michigan. Looking forward to being a part of his March Showcase at Memphis Smoke!
John
January 19, 2009
I’m a Genius, Apparently…
Imagine my surprise this morning when I woke up and found an e-mail from my buddy and fellow singer/songwriter Bill Nedala titled “You’re a Genius”! This never happens, by the way… Anyway, he included a link to a hilarious video which reminded him of a song of mine…
I got this link from a friend. It validates your song about “I’m gonna think about Nothin’ All Day”! I think this puts you in line for some honorary degree… well, maybe. Er… just don’t think about it.
Bill
Here’s the video… pay particular attention to the “box” he talks about at 3:20! Hahaha…
Maybe I AM a genius! Thanks Bill!
John
Vasho’s and ‘da Blues
Dan, Frank and Ira bring the blues at Vasho's.
Stopped in at Vasho’s Kafe last night to check out the open mic. Thanks to Barb Johnson for reminding me earlier this week. Ira McDonald did a great job hosting the show. He had a couple friends there, Dan (electric guitar) and Frank (harp). They did a bunch of great blues tunes, including some of Ira’s own work.
There was also a young man there named Ian. He did a great set with a bunch of electric guitar medleys. Unlike many younger guitar players, he didn’t focus on one type of music. He did everything from the Doobie Brothers to the Beatles to the blues. Had a nice chat with him after the show. Good young man. And his dad deserves some love too. Ian broke a string at the beginning of the show and he took him all the way to guitar center and back to get a string so he could play. Good dad.
I got up and did a few too, including the new one Cinderella (You and Me). Had a good time. Hope this open mic night takes off and becomes a staple of the local music scene.
John
January 17, 2009
